I've been asked to rewrite my author bio. Make it fresh. Basically, not boring.
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I researched a bit online and there was so much conflicting information! What to do, what not to do, adding in what my publisher is looking for. One of the best tips I did find, though, was to remember that we are writers! We write prose and description and emotion for people we make up, but when it comes to bios, we sound like boring history professors. So write like you write!
*No offense to the exciting history professors. Great job.*
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So, I'm posting the before and after and I'd REALLY like to know what you think.
Krista Lynne Jensen grew up in Washington State, attended
Brigham Young University, lived in Oregon for many years, and now lives in
Cody, Wyoming with her husband Brandon and four children: Chelsea, Braeden,
Jacob, and Maren. She loves to cook, garden, read, and explore the inspiring
beauties of the country. Her laptop always comes along.
Growing up, Krista loved the English language, read
constantly, and wrote poetry and journal entries. But she didn’t begin writing
seriously until her youngest child started school full-time and she joined a
writing group, where she quickly rediscovered her passion for words. She places
her characters in the settings she loves and challenges them to dig deeper and
fight for what they want. Her family life is busy, but she keeps up with the
stories playing out in her head while trying to ignore the dishes and laundry.
After:
Nearly every one of Krista Lynne Jensen’s elementary school
teachers made a note on her report card pointing out that she was a “day-dreamer”. It was
not a compliment. So, when Krista grew up, she put those day dreams down on
paper for others to enjoy. When writing, she fuels her creativity with chocolate-covered
cinnamon bears and popcorn. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading,
hiking, her family, and sunshine. But not laundry. She never day-dreams about
laundry.
What do you think? Any more tips? Writing a bio is hard, and most authors don't care to talk about themselves anyway, but it's a great way to connect to readers in a simple paragraph at the end of your book. What do you like to know about an author?